It is becoming increasingly difficult for Russian queer refugees to obtain protection in Europe, even when their cases include evidence of violence, threats, and public persecution. Novaya Gazeta Europe presents several stories of people trying to challenge refusals or find a safe country.
Germany
Artur Maksimov, his husband Rudolf, and their adopted son Viktor arrived in Germany in August 2022 and waited more than three years for a decision. The family was first placed in a camp where, according to Artur, they were repeatedly housed next to religious families, which led to conflicts and threats. Later, rights advocates helped them secure separate accommodation.
In March 2025, asylum was granted to Artur and Rudolf, but Viktor was refused on the grounds that he was not part of the LGBTQ+ community and that danger to him in Russia had therefore not been proven. Viktor is 26 and has severe cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. His guardians argue that the migration service improperly split the family’s case. On January 29, a court heard Viktor’s case; later, the judge requested information from Germany’s Foreign Ministry about conditions for residents of psychiatric care institutions in Russia.
“We were supposedly unable to prove that it would be dangerous for a young man with severe disabilities to return to Russia without guardians or even relatives there,” Artur says.
Finland and beyond
Masha and Kristina, who crossed into Finland three and a half years ago, have been contesting a refusal they believe was caused by errors in their paperwork. They cite threats in Russia, including from Timur Bulatov, and a police visit to one woman’s parents. In February 2025, the couple filed a new application and are still awaiting a decision.
Another case is 19-year-old Mark Yakovlev from Makhachkala, who faced bullying, threats, and pressure because of his activism. He applied for a French humanitarian visa but was refused in December 2025. After further threats in Armenia and news of a possible case against him under Article 20.3.3 of Russia’s administrative code, he abandoned an attempt to enter the EU through Croatia and is again preparing documents in hopes of obtaining protection in a country seen as safer for queer people.